[Open; slightly backdated]

[rule_britannia]

Who: England & anyone
What: Trying to keep out of people's way (obvs going to fail), general event fallout.
When: Jan 13th - Afternoon
Where: Hoarders (inside or outside)

---

[Cabin fever can drive anyone out of their house even under the most undesirable of circumstances, and England's found his way to the book store after carefully making sure that he speaks to no one on the way. He's been blurting things out left and right whenever a direct question was asked for two days now and it's wearing on his nerves.

He'd like to say he's dealt with worse.

This place is ideal - quiet, plenty of ways to look like he's more than busy so no one will bother him - but that probably won't stop some people, and eventually he'll have to leave.]

Comments

[kantstoppfantstopp]

_{[Gilbert hadn't been looking for Arthur. It's entirely by coincidence that he happens to enter the bookstore in time to spot his really really old ancient friend. Like, seriously that guy is old, but you could never tell by looking.]}

Arthur!

_{[Have an arm draped over you, buddy.]} Where have you been? I wasn't looking for you or anything. I actually wanted to find this one book, but this is even better. How long has it been? It feels like yeeeeeaars but it's probably been days. Everything sucks when you're not around.

[rule_britannia]

[Bloody hell. He buckles slightly as the other nation drapes his arm over him, and casts him a sidelong glance. Prussia is, for the most part, known for his lack of verbal filter but that was strange even for him.]

A few days.

[That's an honest answer, at least. He lifts one thick eyebrow and gently elbows his old friend in the side. This is safe, right? How embarrassing can this situation possibly become with someone like Gilbert. He probably wouldn't be able to get a word in anyway.]

I'm quite sure I return the sentiment, old boy, but what brought that on?

[kantstoppfantstopp]

Nothing brought it on. It's always like this, man. West isn't here, none of the usual fucks I like to mess with are here, Jake's gone and it's waaaay too quiet at home and I hate it sometimes.

_{[His eye twitches. He needs to be more careful.]}

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur presses his lips together and eyes the other man carefully. With the Prussian running his mouth like this he knows he's going to have to be careful with what he says - no mean feat when the compulsion to blurt the truth out is so strong.

He's always prided himself on his ability to keep his trap shut when he needs to, but this is hardly a normal situation.]

Keeping quiet's never been your strong point.

[A pause.]

I don't mind listening to you.

[kantstoppfantstopp]

Sometimes being quiet really really sucks, yanno? Like, don't ever even consider getting me wrong, I'm awesome and so are my thoughts, but there's only so much genius I can handle at a time.

But yanno man, we should definitely hang out and stuff more often. We've got this most badass history between us. It'd be a shame to let it go to waste.

_{[WHAT IS HE EVEN SAYING OMG SHUT UP.]}

[rule_britannia]

You know, you're right.

[Then he turns to his friend with a smile and places a hand on his shoulder. It's not often Arthur smiles like that - soft and genuine - and he nods.]

We've always made a bloody good team and I'd hate that to fall by the wayside because of what happened after the War.

[There's a gentle inflection on that word, 'war'. They both know which one he means, despite how many they fought together.]

You've always been someone I knew I could trust.

[amberwaves]

[America would never make the choice on his own to go into Hoarders (boring), but as he's passing by outside, he just so happens to glance through the window and see England browsing.

No.

NO OH MY GOD NO WHY. he's purposely been avoiding anyone from home because he doesn't want to start spewing feelings at them. Everything is so much easier when feelings stay out of the way, but no, England has to be here, and America has to see him, and he can't just pass by without saying anything. Turn around now, feet, why are you making him open the door?]

Books are so dumb why am I even coming in here??

[rule_britannia]

[Oh, God, why is he coming in here why. England sets the book he's browsing through down and almost, almost manages to move himself out of sight before he hears the other nation speak. A quiet groan of frustration escapes him and he slowly pushes one palm against his face, then turns.

Patience, England. Patience.]

No doubt to make some kind of nuisance out of yourself, America.

[Considering he's the only person in the immediate area, he can only assume the focus of said attention is him.]

Did you want something?

[amberwaves]

YEAH that's probably it.

[He looks a little bit constipated, as he tries to force himself not to go any further. For someone used to not having a verbal filter, actually wanting to shut up was almost painful.]

That and I needed to tell you that I don't hate you.

[rule_britannia]

[That has him staring a bit, and very slowly his cheeks colour red. His fingers twitch restlessly over the book he's just put down, and then he lets out a quiet sound, almost a laugh but not quite. A quick exhale that's faintly disbelieving.. relieved.]

I didn't think that you..

[No.. in his heart he's always known.]

I don't hate you either, America. In fact I.. care about you, very much. I never stopped caring about you.